прощай
proshchay
The Russian word for adieu is прощай (proshchay).
прощай is used to express a farewell that implies a long-term or permanent separation. Because it carries a heavy connotation of finality, using it in casual daily settings can sound overly dramatic or even tragic.
Meaning: a farewell (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word прощай is derived from the imperative form of the verb прощать, which means to forgive or to pardon. Literally, the word carries the sense of 'forgive me' or 'farewell'.
Which one should you use?
While прощай implies a permanent or long-term separation, other phrases are used for temporary departures. For example, пока is used for a casual 'bye' and до свидания is used to mean 'until we meet again'.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are addressing more than one person, or if you wish to use the polite form, use прощайте.
How do you pronounce it?
proshchay
Did you know?
- In high-stakes Russian drama, the choice to use прощай over other farewells serves as a narrative spoiler, signaling to the audience that a character's departure is irreversible.
- Because прощай is an imperative command, the speaker is not just making a request but is linguistically commanding the other person to grant forgiveness.
- Saying прощай to someone you plan to see the next day may lead them to believe you are ending the relationship or moving away forever.
Examples in context
- Прощай, мой старый друг.Proshchay, moy staryy drug.Farewell, my old friend.
- Она тихо сказала: «Прощай».Ona tikho skazala: "Proshchay".She quietly said, "Farewell."
- Это было последнее «прощай».Eto bylo posledneye "proshchay".It was the last "farewell."
Example conversation
Sergei is leaving for a long journey and saying goodbye to Olga.
- Ольга OlgaТы уезжаешь навсегда?Ty uyezzhayesh' navsegda?Are you leaving forever?
- Сергей SergeyДа, Ольга, прощай.Da, Ol'ga, proshchay.Yes, Olga, farewell.
- Ольга OlgaМне будет тебя не хватать.Mne budet tebya ne khvatat'.I will miss you.
- Сергей SergeyЯ тоже буду скучать.Ya tozhe budu skuchat'.I will miss you too.
